Bamboo Flooring – An Eco (And Economical) Alternative

This week we are sharing some environmentally friendly (and affordable) options for your home. Today let's discuss bamboo flooring as an alternative to traditional hardwood. There’s no doubt that hardwood floors are both beautiful and functional. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors do not collect dust and dander so they’re great for people with allergies.  They’re durable and can last for decades and they make any home design look professional and polished.  When it comes to hardwood floors, you can’t do better than bamboo. It’s durable, gorgeous and a safe and eco-friendly alternative.

Bamboo flooring(http://www.floorproducer.com). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Think about this: to produce an oak floor it takes several trees. Other trees used to make hardwood floors take upwards 15 to 100 years to grow to maturity.  Bamboo takes 6 years. By choosing bamboo flooring, you’re choosing an incredibly sustainable resource. 

Bamboo is also just as durable, if not more so than many other types of wood used to create hardwood flooring.  In fact, horizontal or vertical bamboo flooring is harder than oak, which is the most popular material used for hardwood floors, and strand woven bamboo flooring is harder than the most expensive hardwood, Brazilian Walnut.

Bamboo flooring is also the most economical type of hardwood flooring options available.  And those who do not want the typical light color associated with bamboo flooring will be happy to learn that bamboo actually can come in a variety of colors from a light honey to a dark amber.

However, it should be noted that all bamboo flooring products are not created equal.  Both vertical and horizontal grain bamboo flooring may contain urea formaldehyde as a binder, which can emit toxic substances, and some engineered bamboo may not be really made from bamboo at all.  Grainless or strand bamboo may use a low emitting phenol-formaldehyde binder.  When purchasing bamboo simply ask how the boards are bound to find out if you’re bringing a potentially toxic substance into your home.  Not all manufacturers use this type of binding and there are safer options. (Formaldehyde-free versions are even widely available online nowadays, through companies like Plyboo.)

Bamboo 2 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Additionally, for the most environmentally friendly bamboo you may want to choose flooring that comes from a bamboo farm where it is raised specifically for this purpose rather than to choose bamboo which is cut down in the forest.

Bamboo starts around $2.00 per square foot, which makes it an extremely affordable option.  Bamboo is perhaps the single best material for hardwood flooring available.  It is sustainable, durable, beautiful and will last you and your family for as long as you live in your home. 

A Few Bamboo Flooring Color Options:
   

How to Design an Eco-Friendly and Stress-Free Home

Our priorities are changing.  More and more, people are looking for simpler and conscientious solutions, while at the same time wanting to live in a home that is a sanctuary.  If you’re looking for eco-friendly design ideas to improve your home and reduce your carbon emissions, you’ve come to the right place.  This week we will cover a few of the available options for environmentally friendly (and often quite affordable) modifications to your home. This article looks at 5 quick, easy and economical eco-friendly design options.

Passive solar heating illustration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#1  Use passive solar.  The sun has tremendous capabilities to warm our homes.  Take advantage of the sun’s solar rays in the winter and open curtains and drapes.  Ideally, you’ll have an abundance of natural light on the side of your home facing the south.  If not, consider adding windows, and in the meantime take advantage of the eastern and western-facing windows. 

#2  Install thermal shades.  Keep the cool air in your home in the summertime and the warm air in during the winter with thermal cell window blinds and/or curtains with thermal backing.

#3  Add plants to your home to purify the air you and your family breathe.  Spider plants are ideal for cleaning your air, but any plant serves as a great filter - plus they look pretty, and help reduce stress.

#4  When repainting your home, choose low VOC or VOC free paints. These are paints that have little or no toxic emissions.  Lowering your exposure to these chemicals will not only help your health, it’ll also help the environment.

#5  Replace your old thermostat with a programmable thermostat and lower your utility bills, while at the same time making your life a bit easier.  Programmable thermostats enable you to set it and forget about it.

#6  Attach low-flow faucets or aerators into your kitchen and bathroom to reduce the amount of water you consume.  You’ll lower your water bills and conserve water, and some of the new low-flow showerheads offer superior pressure (mine uses half the water my old conventional showerhead did, but it feels way better and the flow feels awesome).

#7  Utilize restored or reclaimed wood or purchase used furniture.  There’s just something beautiful about old wood.  It has an earthy yet lovely appeal.  And you can buy reclaimed or restored pieces for much less than you can buy the same quality pieces for new.  A little extra money in your pocket, beautiful furniture and sustainable practices - that's a win-win-win.

#8  Embrace soy and beeswax candles to create a stress-free zone.  Paraffin candles emit toxic fumes and lead - however, soy and beeswax candles are natural, emission free, and a great way to de-stress. 

#9  Invest in organic bedding.  100% organic cotton is a luxury, no doubt about it, but it’s environmentally friendly and a great way to add those small luxurious touches that make a big difference. Newer bamboo memory foam mattresses can also be low in emissions and extremely comfortable.

Bamboo Flooring Continued (Photo credit: super-structure)

#10  Replace carpet with sustainable flooring like bamboo or cork. These are both environmentally sound flooring choices that are totally gorgeous at the same time.  They’re also economical and easy to maintain. (Be sure to check Wednesday's post for more about bamboo flooring options.)

Environmentally friendly design does more than help the planet, though that is certainly a great perk.  It can also enhance your lifestyle and make your home the sanctuary you desire - often at a financial savings as well.

Video: Fox5 News Reports On the Dangers of Aspartame

Here is a 10-minute in-depth news report on aspartame - a chemical sweetener with a long and troubled history of negative health effects, and political agendas. This video exposes a part of this history, including interviews with several people who have experienced extreme adverse effects from using aspartame, as well as several scientists and doctors who have extensively studied the chemical. (For more exploration of the shadowy circumstances surrounding the aspartame studies and approval, also see this video - which kind of makes me want to cry from frustration. There are also many many other videos and books on this topic - search YouTube for "aspartame," or check out some of the resources below the video. Just how much evidence is enough??)

Hopefully you are already aware of the dangers of aspartame, but you may not be aware of just how many products this chemical appears in. Be sure when shopping to check the ingredients, and avoid products containing this harmful toxin.

The Dangers of Aspartame (Nutrasweet AminoSweet Diet Coke Zero Pepsi Next Sucralose Neotame E951)
Aspartame (E951) is an artificial sweetener, used in over 6000 products. The food industry claims that aspartame helps in losing weight, but why is obesity then becoming such an ever increasing problem? Aspartame is a very sweet chemical, responsible...
 

More Information on Aspartame:
   

Toxin Alert: The Dangers of Aspartame

When choosing between 150 calories and 0 calories, for many the choice is apparent.  Zero calories sounds a whole lot better - right?  Yet that 0-calorie item may be causing more harm than good.  Aspartame, also known as Equal and NutraSweet, is a toxic food additive with a long and questionable history.  Here are just a few of the dangers of Aspartame.

Birth Defects

aspartame; Asp-Phe methyl ester (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Aspartame is suspected of causing brain damage in sensitive individuals and unborn children may be especially at risk for these effects. Some researchers have suggested that high doses of aspartame may be associated with problems ranging from dizziness and subtle brain changes to mental retardation.

Cancer

Numerous studies on rats have shown a strong link between brain cancer and aspartame.  And while the FDA has approved aspartame for human use, the data is too suspicious.  In fact, in 1981, an FDA statistician commented that the brain tumor/aspartame data was too "worrisome" to recommend approval of NutraSweet. (Nonetheless, it was approved following intense pressure from the food industry - see the documentary "Sweet Misery: A Poisoned World" for more info on the story of how the approval was pushed through despite many warnings and adverse results in numerous studies.)

Diabetes

Research has shown aspartame to be a leading agent in developing clinical diabetes (which is especially disturbing since many diabetics and pre-diabetics choose this sweetener over sugar, thinking it's healthier for them).  It has also shown that aspartame causes diabetics to have less control over their condition when they’re on insulin or oral drugs.  It’s been linked to diabetic complications and has been shown to cause diabetic convulsions. 

Emotional Disorders

According to a double blind study of the effects of aspartame on people suffering from mood disorders, aspartame caused a dramatic increase in symptoms.   Additionally, there are numerous reported cases of low brain serotonin levels, depression and other emotional disorders which all link the cause to aspartame. 
In addition to the above listed conditions caused by or worsened by aspartame, the dangers of aspartame reach far and wide. 

Here’s just a few of the many symptoms proven or suspected to be caused by aspartame:
* Seizures
* Dizziness
* Tremors
* Migraines and severe headaches
* Memory loss
* Slurring of speech
* Confusion
* Numbness or tingling of extremities
* Chronic fatigue
* Depression
* Insomnia
* Irritability
* Panic attacks
* Rapid heart beat
* Asthma
* Chest pains
* High blood pressure
* Diarrhea
* Abdominal pain
* Menstrual problems
* Impotency
* Food cravings
* Weight gain
* Hair loss
* Urination problems
* Bloating
* Joint pain

Where is Aspartame Found?

Diet Coke Products (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to the Aspartame Information Society, aspartame is consumed by over 200 million people around the world and is found in more than 6,000 products. Aspartame is commonly found in most diet drinks from soda to lemonade and bottled teas.  It’s also found in many food products including yogurt, cereal, ice cream, jams and jellies, maple syrup, pudding and many low sugar candy, gum and mints. Be sure to read the label if you’re trying to avoid the dangers of aspartame.

Simply put, Aspartame, Equal and NutraSweet are toxins.  Your body cannot process them effectively.  This inability to process them causes your body to try to compensate for their presence.  There’s only so much a body can take before it gives out.  When that happens, symptoms appear.  They may begin as whispers like fatigue, headaches and bloating, however as more aspartame is ingested, the symptoms worsen.  The effects, as studies have shown, can be deadly.

For more information on aspartame and related artificial sweeteners, you may want to check out the following resources:
   

Superfoods For A Super Brain

We’ve all had days when we didn’t feel like we were ‘on our game.’ And as we age, both our bodies and our brains grow old as well. But by making smart food choices, we can preserve our precious gray matter longer and improve brain function. Here are some brainy choices for keeping our noggins in tip-top shape.

PET scan of a normal human brain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blueberries have been shown to shield the brain from stress, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Research has also shown that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills.

Avocados, though considered a ‘fatty fruit,’ contribute to healthy blood flow and decreased blood pressure, lessening the chances of developing hypertension, which can lead to a stroke.

Deep-water fish, such as salmon, is a wise, freshwater fish choice. It’s abundant in omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are essential for healthy brain function.

Nuts and seeds are good sources of vitamin E, an important vitamin needed by your brain to stave off declining cognitive functions. Cashews, peanuts, walnuts, sunflower and sesame seeds and almonds are all great choices.

Whole-grain breads, brown rice, and oatmeal also contribute to a healthy brain by reducing the risk for cardiac disease. (Sprouted grains are the most nutritious and easy to digest.) By promoting a healthy heart and improved blood flow, the brain is sure to thrive via excellent oxygen and nutrient delivery through the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates also supply the brain with a steady stream of glucose that enhances brain function. It's important to avoid simple carbohydrates often found in white breads, processed grains, or junk food because the glucose gives the brain a short-lived sugar high, often followed by a crash that makes you feel hungry and tired.

Freshly brewed tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class known as catechines, which also promotes healthy blood flow. Since black and green teas do contain caffeine it’s important to consume sensibly and in moderation.

Chocolat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dark chocolate has powerful antioxidant properties, contains several natural stimulants, which enhance focus and concentration, and encourages the production of endorphins, which helps improve mood. Again, moderation is the key.

One final note: Don't stress out about trying to add foods that are good for each part of your body individually into your diet. This can seem really overwhelming, with all the different nutritional recommendations out there. Instead, recognize that foods that are good for your brain are also good for the rest of your body. Consuming a variety of these foods daily will not only keep your brain healthy and functioning well, but your entire body as well. So just enjoy them, knowing you're doing a great thing for your overall health and your brain at the same time!

Video - CNN Interview On The pH Miracle Diet

Here is a short CNN interview with the author of the pH Miracle Diet for Fat Loss. Dr. Young shares some tips for alkaline foods to eat, acidic foods to avoid, and what type of exercise is best for alkalizing your body and removing toxins, thereby encouraging fat loss. This short video gives a brief overview of what the pH Miracle Diet is all about, but for further information, be sure to check out the resources below.

pH Miracle Diet Sheds The Fat Fast
pH Miracle Diet is the most natural way to lose fat fast alkalizing the body by eating mostly alkaline foods.


More On The pH Miracle Diet: 
   

How To Get More Alkaline Foods Into Your Diet

The pH miracle diet is a revolutionary new way to look at how you eat. The essentials of the diet are to keep the pH balance of food intake at 80% alkaline with 20% acidity. The goal with this diet is to match the pH level of the bloodstream, which runs on the alkaline side. This task can be daunting for many because foods that most people love to indulge themselves on are high in acidity. The goal in adding more alkaline into your diet is to identify good sources of alkaline. Creating a comprehensive list of alkaline producing foods will help you make the most of the pH miracle diet.

Alkalizing foods have a tonic effect on the body. By neutralizing the acidity in the bloodstream, alkaline foods act as a “breath of fresh air” to the system regenerating and restoring damaged cells. Diets high in acidic foods cause the body to break down prematurely, the bloodstream carries these “acid bombs” throughout the system wreaking havoc in their wake. By determining what foods have an alkalizing effect on the body, we can incorporate them into our diet in larger amounts, setting the pH levels in the bloodstream to the optimum level. On average, the pH level of human blood is between 7.35 and 7.45; levels 7 and above are considered alkaline.

Cover of Healing Foods

Vegetables and fruits are the easiest ways to get more alkaline into your diet. Vegetables that are alkalizing are: alfalfa, barley grass, beets, beet greens, broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard greens, collard greens, cucumber, dandelions, eggplant, garlic, green beans, green peas, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, nightshade veggies, onions, parsnips, peas, peppers, pumpkin, radishes, rutabaga, sea veggies, spinach, sprouts, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watercress, wheat grass, and wild greens.

Fruits that have an alkalizing effect are: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, blackberries, cantaloupe, cherries, coconut, currants, dates, figs, grapes, grapefruit, honeydew, lemons, limes, muskmelons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, pineapple, raisins, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tangerines, tomatoes, tropical fruits, and watermelon.

Protein can be a problem when attempting to add more alkaline into your diet. All protein derived from meats is acidic. It is possible to add protein to your diet that will have an alkalizing effect in your bloodstream. Proteins that are alkaline are: almonds, chestnuts, millet, tempeh, tofu, and whey protein powder.

But food can sometimes seem bland and somehow lacking without the spices, herbs and sweeteners that give it that extra bit of character. You can add these alkalizing additions to your culinary efforts to bring your PH levels into balance. Alkalizing condiments are: cinnamon, curry, ginger, mustard, chili pepper, sea salt, stevia, miso, tamari, and all herbs.

Minerals are essential to optimum health. Paying attention to which minerals have alkalizing effects can add the proper balance to your blood pH. Minerals that have an alkalizing effect on the body are: cesium, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.

There are other incidentals that can make adding alkaline to your diet even easier. Other ways to add alkaline to your diet are: apple cider vinegar, alkaline antioxidant water, bee pollen, lecithin granules, molasses, probiotic cultures, soured dairy products, green juices, veggie juices, fresh fruit juice, and mineral water.

Diagram of the pH scale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Knowing which foods and supplements that add alkaline to your pH levels is just the beginning. Implementing them is the next step which takes planning and commitment. After adding these healing foods to your diet you can test your body’s pH levels with a  saliva strip test available at most health food stores. Keeping your pH level between 7 and 8 is the target for good health.

Remember the goal of the pH miracle diet is to have the alkaline intake higher than your acidic intake. This does not mean that you can’t enjoy the foods that are higher in acidity, quite the contrary; but the balance of your diet should be geared toward alkaline producing foods. By maintaining a proper pH balance you can ensure that your body is performing at its optimum level.